Magnetic type flowmeter



Oct. 12, 1954 D. R. DE BoIsBLANc 2,691,303

MAGNETIC TYPE FLOWMETER Filed June 19, 1950 2 Sheets-SheetI l INVENTOR.

D. R. DE BOISBLANC gy/@WWW ATTORNEYS Och 12, 1954 D. R. DE BolsBLANc 2,691,303

MAGNETIC TYPE FLowMETER Filed June 19, 1 950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

D. R. DE BOISBLANC ATTORNEYS Llatenteel' ct. 12, 1954 MAGNETIC TYPE FLOWMETER Deslonde R. de Boisblan signor to Phillips Pet poration of Delaware c, Bartlesville, Okla., asroleum Company, a. cor- Application June 19, 195o, serial No. 168,982

10 Claims. (C1. 'i3-494) This invention relates 'to flowmeters.

Heretofore considerable difficulties have been experienced in measuring the flow velocity of liuids, as through pipes or conduits, particularly when the ow rate is rather low. Flowmeters have previously utilized a constriction in the conduit through which the uid passes, the fluid pressure upstream and downstream from the constriction being compared to provide an indication of ow rate. Further, various types of flowmeters have been proposed wherein a spinner or other mechanical element is rotated by the passage of fluid through the meter. In both cases, the presence of the flowmeter produces an undesirable pressure drop in the conduit and streamline conditions of flow are interfered with at low flow velocities.

It has also been proposed to establish a magnetic eld in the conduit through which iiow is to be measured, and to measure the capacitance between two opposite sides of the conduit, this capacitance changing in accordance with the flow rate when the aforesaid magnetic eld is established across the conduit. I have found that improved results are obtained when the magnetic eld in this type of lowmeter extends radially from center to periphery of the conduit rather than extending entirely across the conduit. With my arrangement of the magnetic neld, various types of electrode congurations may be utilized and the flexibility of the system is increased in that either a push-pull or single ended circuit may be utilized, as desired, to provide a voltage representative of the flow rate.

It is an object of my invention to improve the construction and operation of flowmeters.

It is a still further object to provide a flowmeter of the magnetic type in which the magnetic field extends radially from the center to the periphery of the conduit through which iiows a uid whose velocity is to be measured.

It is a still further object to provide a flowmeter which is rugged, durable, has no moving parts, and is very accurate even at low flow rates.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional view, partially in elevation, of the iiowmeter of my invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are, respectively, sectional views taken along' the lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Figure l;

'Figure 4 is a sectional View of a modification of the owmeter taken along a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a schematic View of a rst form of measuring circuit adapted for use in this invention; and

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a second form of measuring circuit adapted for use in this invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the flowmeter may be conveniently incorporated in a conduit section I0 mounted between two conduit sections I I, I2 in any suitable manner. In the example shown, the conduit sections I I and I2 are provided with flanges I3 and I4, respectively, which abut anged portions I5 and I8 of a conduit portion I1 formed from insulating material. The two sets I3, I5 and I4, I6 of anges are held in assembled position by bolts I8.

A pair of spiders I9 and 20 lis held, respectively, between the two sets I3, I5 and I4, I6 of flanges by the bolts I8, and these spiders, in turn, support a generally cylindrical core 2| of magnetic material, this core being secured at its respective ends to the spiders, as by screws, not shown, Figure 2. The core 2I may be constructed from pressed, powdered magnetic material or, alternatively, it may be formed from laminated material arranged in the usual manner for forming magnetic cores. The ends of the core 2l are tapered, as indicated at 23, to provide proper streamline conditions of ow in the conduit section I1,

Mounted between the anges I5, I3 is an annular member 25 of magnetic material, this member being provided with end portions 2S, 21 abutting the respective anges I5, I6 and engaging the outer surfaceof the conduit section I1. The end portions 26, 21 define the ends of an annular region between conduit section I1 and member 25 within which is wound a coil 28. When alternating current is supplied tothis coil from a current source 29 which is connected to coil 28 by leads 43 and 44, a magnetic field is es'- tablished which, during one cycle of each alternating current wave, extends radially inward from end portion 26 to the core, thence, 1ongitudinally of the core, radially outward from the core to end portion 21, and longitudinally through member 25 to the end -portion 26. During the other cycle of each alternating current wave, the magnetic iield extends radially outward from the core to end portion 26, thence longitudinally of the member 25 to end portion 21, radially inward to the adjacent end of the core 2|, and longitudinally to the other end of ly, there is established in the region of the conduit adjacent end portion 21 a radially directed the core. Accordingmagnetic leld, the direction of the magnetic lines of force being reversed at each alternation of the current supplied to the coil.

Mounted interiorly of the conduit adjacent end portion 21 is an electrode structure 3d which `includes a radially extending web 3l of insulating material which is secured at its outer end to conduit section H, as by a screw, not shown, and which, at its interior end, abuts the magnetic core 2l. To this end, the interior end 33 of the web is shaped to conform to the curvature of the core at the region of contact between these parts. Electrodes 34 and 35 are mounted on opposite sides of web 3l and these electrodesare:connected to an external measuring instrument 45, shown in detail in Figure 5, by respective leads 4S and 41 which extend through suitable. openings in conduit section I1 and end portion 21, as clearly illustrated in Figure l, these openings being suitably sealed to prevent leakage of fluid from the conduit therethrough. Diametrically .opposite web `3| isa web .31 of .conductive non-magnetic metal which, at its outer end, is secured to conduit section .|.1 as by a screw, not shown, and which, at its interior end, its within a .sheath 39 of .insulating material, this sheath completely enclosing core 2|. The web ,'31 is connected by a lead 4U to a suitable measuring circuit, this .lead -extending through suitable passages .in conduit section I1 and end portion 21', .these passages being suitably sealed to .prevent leakage of .iluid from the conduit. y

In one embodimentoi ,this invention, as illustrated in Figure 5, leads it and l1 are connected to the control :grids of respective vacuum tube triodes 5B and 5l which :are connected to form a conventional push-pull ampliiier. The anodes of tubes til and 5l areconnected to opposite ends of the primary winding it lof a transformer 54, the center tap of winding 53 being connected to a source oi positive potential. The secondary winding 55 of transformer 54 is connected in series with a rectiiier 56 and a current fmeter 51. The cathodes of tubes 5U and lil are grounded through a common bias resistor 53 which .is shunted by a capacitor 59. Lead lll is connected to the amplier ground.

In Aoperation of this .lowmeten alternating cur rent is supplied to coil 28 from source 29 with the result that a radial alternating magnetic neld .is established in the conduit at the region of the electrode assembly 3G. As duid passes through the conduit in the direction indicated by the arrows, Figure 1 ionized particles in the duid are` moved by the eld in a circular path on a plane projected perpendicular to theaxis oi the conduit. That is to say, each charged particle in the i-luid moves in a direction mutually perpendicular to the radial magnetic eld and to the longitudinal path of the charged particle through the conduit. This displacement is, of course, proportional to the velocity of flow of the fluid through the conduit and constitutes a now of electricity between web 31 and electrode 313, as well as between web 31 and electrode 35, the resultant voltages being of opposite phase due to the position of the electrodes on opposite sides of web 3l..

Thus, the current measured by the push-pull amplifier connected to leads 4t, l1 and t@ is a function of flow velocity and is representative of the flow velocity. It will be evident that, as .the radial field is reversed during the alternation of the cur rent supplied to kcoil 28, that the direction .of movement .of positively .charged particles is reversed. That is, the direction of movement :of

positively charged particles in their circular path is reversed at each alternation of the current supplied to the coil 23. The movement of negatively charged particles alternates in a similar fashion but, of course, the direction of movement is opposite to that of the positively charged particles. As a result, the potential appearing between Web 31 and electrode 311 as well as the potential appearing between web 31 and electrode 35 is an alternating voltage of the same frequency as that supplied to coil 28.

Although I have described the operation of the flowmeter in connection with a push-pull ampliiler., a single ended amplier may be easily substituted therefor. When it is desired to use a single ended amplifier, the conductive web 31 is replaced by a porous member oi insulating material or eliminated. Also as illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, electrodes 34a and 35a are connected by respective leads Mia and lla to the control grid of a vacuum tube triode 5B and to ground respectively. The anode of tube `E58 is connected to a source of 4positive potential through a primary winding 5l of a transformer 6?.. The secondary f winding 63 of .transformer lG2 .is connected in series with a rectiner 5ft and a `current meter 65. The cathode of tube dil is grounded through a bias resistor 61 having a capacitor E8 connected in shunt therewith. In this case, an alternating voltage representative of the rate of ilowof viluid through the conduit is produced between electrodes lita, 41a. and fed to the input circuit of the amplier. The use of thepush-pull arrangement is desirable, however, since it eliminates .in-phase hum voltages not related to now.

It will be evident that more than one set -of electrodes may be utilized, if desired, and these electrodes may be spaced at .intervals along the magnetic core provided that they are connected in such manner that the outputs appearing ,between the electrodes are summed.

The described ilowmeter produces very little interference or obstruction in the conduit due to the streamlining of the core 2l and to the fact that the webs 3 l 31 and lspiders, i9, 2i) are of very small dimensions .and offer little or no resistance to the flow ci fluid through the conduit. The described iiowmeter is particularly suited to the accurate measurement of low iiow rates, since the measuring means is electromagnetic in natur-e and does not depend upon the force exerted directly upon a movable element by the fiuid. The radial magnetic field produces a useable output .even `at low velocities, although the vuid .itself may contain only a relatively small `number of charged Aparticles.

While the invention has been described in connection with a present, preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that this description is illustrative only and is not intended -to limit the invention, the `scope of which is dened by the appended claims` I claim:

i. In a dow-meter, in combination, a conduit for passing an electrically conductive fluid whose velocity is to be measured, an elongated core of magnetic material disposed axially within said conduit, a coil mounted `externally of said conduit, a magnetic structure disposed `adjacent said coil for producing a radial magnetic eld between a portion of said structure and said core, a pair of closely spaced electrodes mounted within said conduit between said core and said con-duit, a web cf insulating material extending radially from said core to said conduit and separating said electrodes whereby said electrodes lie in diierent radial planes, and leads extending from said electrodes to the exterior of said conduit.

2. In a nowmeter, in combination, a conduit for passing an electrically conductive iluid whose velocity is to be measured, an elongated tapered core of magnetic material disposed axially within said conduit, a coil mounted externally of said conduit, a magnetic structure surrounding said coil for producing a radial magnetic field between a portion of said structure and said core, a first web of conductive non-magnetic material extending radially from said core to said conduit adjacent said portion of the magnetic structure, a radially extending second web of insulating material mounted diametrically opposite said conductive web and extending from said core to said conduit, a pair of electrodes mounted on opposite sides of said web of insulating material so as to lie in different radial planes, and means for making electrical connections to said electrodes and to said web of conductive material.

3. In a flowmeter, in combination, a conduit section having a ange at each end thereof, a spider secured to each of said anges, an elongated cylindrical core of magnetic material mounted axially of said conduit section and supported by said spiders, said core having tapered end portions, an annular member of magnetic material having iianged end portions abutting the flanges of said conduit section, a coil mounted between the central region of said member and said conduit, a web of insulating material positioned adjacent one of the ilanged ends of said member and extending radially from said conduit to said core, a pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of said web of insulating material so as to lie in dilerent radial planes, and means for making electrical connections to said electrodes through said conduit section.

4. In a owmeter, in combination, a conduit section having a flange at each end thereof, a spider secured to each of said flanges, an elongated cylindrical core of magnetic material mounted axially of said conduit section and supported by said spiders, said core having tapered end portions, an annular member of magnetic material having iianged end portions abutting the flanges of said conduit section, a coil mounted between the central region of said member and said conduit, a web of conductive material positioned adjacent one of the flanged ends of said member, said web extending radially :from said conduit to said core, a web of insulating material positioned diametrically opposite said web of conductive material and extending radially from said core to said conduit, a pair of electrodes mounted on opposite sides of said web of insulating material so as to lie in diierent radial planes, and means for making electrical connections to said electrodes and said web of conductive material.

5. In a owmeter, in combination, a conduit for passing an electrically conductive fluid whose velocity is to be measured, an elongated tapered core of magnetic material disposed axially within said conduit, a coil mounted externally of said conduit, a magnetic structure disposed adjacent said coil for producing a radial substantially uniform magnetic neld between a portion of said structure and said core, a plurality of closely spaced electrodes mounted within said conduit between said core and said conduit whereby said individual electrodes lie in different radial planes, and leads extending from said electrodes to the exterior of said condui 6. In a ilowmeter, in combination a conduit for passing an electrically conductive uid whose velocity is to be measured, an elongated tapered core of magnetic material disposed axially within said conduit, a coil mounted externally of said conduit, a magnetic structure disposed adjacent said coil for producing a radial magnetic eld between a portion of said structure and said core, a plurality of closely spaced electrodes mounted within said conduit between said core and said conduit, a web of insulating material extending radially from said core to said conduit and separating one pair of said electrodes whereby said iirst pair of electrodes lie in different radial planes, and leads extending from said electrodes to the exterior of said conduit.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a push-pull amplifier including a pair of electron tubes connected in opposition, said pair of electrodes being connected to respective grids of said pair of tubes, said web of conductive material being connected to the common cathode circuit of said amplifier, and means to measure the output signal of said amplier.

8. In a iiowmeter, in combination, a conduit for passing an electrically conductive fluid whose velocity is to be measured, means for establishing an alternating radial magnetic eld in said conduit, a thin sheet of insulating material extending from the inner wall of said conduit radially inwardly, a pair of electrodes mounted in closely spaced relationship on opposite sides of said sheet whereby the individual electrodes of said pair lie in diierent radial planes, and leads extending from said electrodes to the exterior of said conduit.

9. In a flowmeter, in combination, a conduit for passing an electrically conductive uid whose velocity is to be measured, means for establishing an alternating radial magnetic eld in said conduit, a rst electrode mounted within the interior of said conduit, a thin sheet of insulating material secured to the wall of said conduit and extending inwardly therefrom in a radial plane which contains said first electrode, second and third electrodes mounted on diametrically opposite sides of said sheet whereby said second and third electrodes lie in different radial planes which are symmetrical with respect to the radial plane containing said first electrode.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a push-pull amplifier including a pair of electron tubes connected in opposition, said second and third electrodes being connected to respective grids of said pair of tubes, said rst electrode being connected to the common cathode circuit of said amplifier whereby the output signal from said amplie'r is zero in the absence of fluid flow through said conduit, and means t measure the output signal of said amplifier.

References Cited in the file of this patent OTHER REFERENCES Alternating Field Induction Flowmeter of High Sensitivity, A. Kolin, The Review of Scientic Instruments, vol. 16, No. 5, May 1945. 

